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EDUCAÇÃO
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK
CLASS OF 2021
R EDE DE A CADEMIAS P ROMOVENDO A E XCELÊNCIA
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021
NA E DUCAÇÃO 1
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Responsibilities of the Student in the University Process........................................................................................ 5 Differences in the US, UK, and Canadian Processes................................................................................................. 6 University Planning Timeline........................................................................................................................................7-9 Advice from DP2s to DP1s............................................................................................................................................. 9 Beginning the College/University Search.................................................................................................................... 10 Types of Colleges/Universities/Living Options/Courses/Degrees........................................................................ 11 Choosing a Course/Major.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Online Career Resources............................................................................................................................................... 13 Choosing Universities/Colleges to apply to......................................................................................................... 14-16 Tips for Organisation...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Application Fees............................................................................................................................................................... 18 The UK Application Process................................................................................................................................... 19-21 The US Application Process.................................................................................................................................... 22-23 Standardised Testing: ACT/SAT.................................................................................................................................... 24 The Canadian Application Process........................................................................................................................ 25-28 The Australian Application Process....................................................................................................................... 29-30 The European Application Process........................................................................................................................ 31-33 The Asian Application Process............................................................................................................................... 34-36 The South African Application Process................................................................................................................ 37-38 Financial Aid and Scholarships................................................................................................................................ 39-45 University Expenses and Budgeting....................................................................................................................... 46-48 Writing Personal Statements/Essays for Applications............................................................................................. 49 The UK Personal Statement.......................................................................................................................................... 50 US Personal Statements and Essays....................................................................................................................... 51-52 Understanding an Admissions Decision..................................................................................................................... 53 Choosing Where to Attend.......................................................................................................................................... 54 Next Steps After Selecting a College/University...................................................................................................... 55 Application Organisers and Password Page......................................................................................................... 56-57 Application Research/Completion Sheet.............................................................................................................. 58-60 Notes.................................................................................................................................................................................. 61 UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 3
INTRODUCTION The Aga Khan Academies University Counselling Handbook has been prepared in order to orient you to the complex and exciting process of university application and selection. The handbook provides definite guidelines and schedules that will help you comprehend the many issues and challenges you will face in your last years of secondary school. It is designed to provide beginning steps and an outline of the application process and curriculum in various countries. In short, the following pages serve as a road map that will guide you as you embark on the transition from the Academy to university. It will be helpful only to the extent that you take advantage of the information it contains. The book does not replace the help of the University Counselling Office. However, it does provide answers to frequently-asked questions, it can help you organise your thoughts about university and, in general, it can eliminate much confusion if you take the time to read it and incorporate its recommendations into your university planning. To make wise choices for the future means to be intelligently informed. A wise decision is based on self- knowledge and an awareness of the opportunities that are best suited to your particular needs. While teachers have been preparing you for the academic challenges of higher education, the University Counselling Office aims to assist you in getting there. To this end, this handbook has been created. Contributors: Samantha Caras Safiya Jetha Khatdija Meghjani Pragati Pandey Chase Taylor Navroz Tharani Theresa Urist Adnan Visram UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 4
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT IN THE UNIVERSITY
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. You must engage in honest, thoughtful reflection and analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, ideas, goals,
and dreams and apply this knowledge thoughtfully in the college search and application process. Believe
in yourself.
2. You must do the best academic work of which you are capable, through the completion of your
Academy experience.
3. You must take control of and responsibility for the process rather than be dragged through it. You are
the one who must bear the consequences for your final decision, so make it thoughtfully and well.
4. You must do the research necessary to find and apply to a variety of universities you would be happy to
attend.
5. You must be considerate of the concerns and opinions of your family members, your University
Counsellor, and others who must contribute to the process, while remaining true to yourself.
6. You must register for and take appropriate standardised tests in a timely fashion.
7. You must communicate with your University Counsellor as your interests and priorities change.
8. You must meet all deadlines including those of the University Counselling Office as well as those of
university admissions offices.
9. You must complete your applications and essays with care and attention.
10. You must maintain a sense of humour – this is supposed to be fun!
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 5
IB Scores
Preferred (Major) Course Tests Recommendation
Country (predicted grades) Personal Statement
Considered Required Letters Needed
considered
It depends. Some Schools consider For most US At Least 2- Required- Written
universities consider all grades from schools SAT or 1 from counsellor, on topic of your
candidates for specific years 9-DP2 as ACT is required 1 from a teacher choice. More
programmes, while well as predicted specifically about
US other universities may IB YOU
not require applicants
to determine a specific
course of study when
they apply.
Yes Schools consider Most require Two Varies by
all grades from proof of recommendations university, and is
years 9-DP2 as language required often required
APPLICATION PROCESSES:
CANADA well as predicted proficiency such in scholarship
IB as TOEFL or applications
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021
IELTS
Yes Schools consider None required 1 from teacher Required- Written
only predicted IB except for required on why you would
grades high ranking like to study the
schools (such course you are
as Oxbridge) applying to and
UK that require what makes you
tests for specific qualified
disciplines,
ie. BMAT
(medicine) or
LNAT (law)
Yes schools consider Proof of No No
they look for in an applicant. Reference the table below to see the differences between them.
only predicted IB language
grades proficiency
such as IELTS
DIFFERENCES IN US, UK, CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN
AUSTRALIA and additional
testing for
Universities in different countries have different application requirements and vary greatly in the qualities
highly selective
6
programmes
UNIVERSITY PLANNING TIMELINE:
For you and your parent(s)/guardian(s), the university selection process can be exciting, puzzling,
threatening, and exhausting! It is further complicated by various deadlines, testing requirements, application
procedures, and by expectations of family, friends, teachers, and others.
The following timeline has been developed to help you keep these factors in perspective and to stay
organised during the university application process.
*NOTE: University Counsellors set internal deadlines because of school breaks, internet issues and/or
heavy workloads. University Counsellors will let you know of these internal deadlines far in advance; these
should be taken as STRICT deadlines. There is no guarantee that your school materials will be submitted to
university admissions offices over the breaks or while university counsellors are not on campus. Adhering
to internal deadlines ensures that the process runs smoothly for everyone. Deadlines for individual schools
will vary so it is your responsibility to keep track of your own deadlines, including all internal deadlines.
BridgeU is another tool that will help you to stay on top of your application deadlines.
DP 1 Year
It is imperative that you take your academic performance seriously. This means serious application, planned
hours of study, a realistic time budget, high standards of work on assignments and projects, and a sincere
desire to do the best academic work possible. If you have not worked up to your potential during the first
two years of secondary school, it is crucial that you exhibit solid academic performance during your DP 1
year.
• Develop a resume
• Plan your DP2 Courses
• Prepare for the SAT/ACT:
September 2019-March
- Register for the SAT/ACT
2020
- Take an ACT/SAT Practice Test
• Start researching schools
• Talk to your parents/guardians about financial aid
March 2020 Register by early March for the April ACT (online) and late
March for May SAT (online)
April-May 2019 Take the April ACT and May SAT
June 2020 Prepare for a meaningful and substantive summer holiday!
• Research Universities
• Investigate Scholarship Options
• Finalise college list
• Write Personal Statements
Summer Break • Update BridgeU with the above
• US Applications OPEN (August)
• Visit College campuses/take online tours
• Register in early August for the September ACT (online)
• If necessary, take the TOEFL/IELTS
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 7
DP 2 Year
It is important that your DP2 year grades reflect a sincere and sustained effort throughout the whole year.
At universities, acceptance is contingent upon your maintaining or improving your level of achievement.
Universities may withdraw your acceptance if you demonstrate a marked drop in performance.
• Hit the ground running during your DP2 year by continuing to
submit drafts of your essays/personal statements.
• Register online for the ACT/SAT by early September for the
October SAT/ACT
August/September 2020 • Write, edit and finalise Personal Statements!
• Keep college list current on BridgeU
• Sign up/register for Common Application and other online
application portals.
• Research funding
• Fill out the CSS profile (financial aid application for some US universities)
• Write, edit and finalise Personal Statements!
October 2020 • Finish everything if applying for Early Decision/Early Action
deadline schools in the US.
• UCAS Applications due for Oxford or Cambridge (all programmes)
October15th
• UK Medicine Applications Due
• Predicted grades given by teachers
• Finalise university-specific essays
November 2020 • Applications for UK and Canada OPEN
• Register for December SAT/ACT if necessary
November 1st / 15th • Most Early Application deadlines for US Universities
December 1st / 15th
• Finish all applications before break
December
• Most Early Decision/Early Action decisions arrive
January 1st Application deadline for some US Universities
Make sure that BridgeU university list is 100% accurate, as
January
counsellors use that list to send out transcripts
• Regular Decision application deadline for many US universities
January 15th
• ALL applications should be submitted
Late Jan-March Many scholarship applications and financial aid applications due
• Decisions begin to arrive!
February-April • Review financial aid packages
• Make a pro/con list of schools you are accepted to.
• Make sure your university counsellor is aware of any acceptances,
denials and waitlist decisions.
April
• Be sure that your BridgeU account is up to date with accurate
information on your results.
April 1st US university decisions issued with financial aid offers / Australia
& South Africa applications open
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 8Rolling basis Decisions from Canadian and UK universities issued
May 1st Universal deadline to accept/ decline for US universities. Deposit
must be made.
Make sure that final transcript/IB Diploma results are sent to the
June university where you will be attending.
Send thank you letters to everyone who helped you through this process!
THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: ADVICE TO DP1s FROM DP2s
Here is some wise advice as you embark on the university application process from students who have
already been through it.
• It is harder to raise your grades in the DP years than you think it will be.
• Start looking at universities in January of your DP1 year; finish your essays over the summer.
• Ask about the negatives when you visit universities.
• Like your “safe” schools – you may need them.
• Don’t just pick a university because your friends like it.
• Don’t get hooked on one school or one course– you might not be admitted there.
• Your ideas about what you want may change over time.
• Don’t obsess over the university process – you still need to do well in school.
• Don’t just focus on school – find an activity that you love.
• Don’t let the university application process dictate what activities you do.
• Start forming good relationships with teachers now so you have people you can ask to write
recommendations for you.
• Look at some applications now to learn what they ask.
• Plan carefully to take your standardised tests so you can fit them all in.
• Save a copy of a graded writing sample from your DP1 year (an analytic assignment from English or
history).
• Write a narrative, a story - Reflect on a personal project, community service, internship, work
experience. What did you learn?
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 9BEGINNING THE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY SEARCH
It is time to begin actively thinking about university and career. You should review and discuss your
interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses in your initial meeting with your University Counsellor. Check
out university websites, look over printed university materials, talk with friends and family who are now
attending university, and attend the informational sessions with university admissions officers who visit the
Academy. Remember, the more information that you gather, the better your chances of making a realistic
and suitable decision about university.
Be sure that your HL courses support your college and career plans. As the International Baccalaureate
is a university preparatory curriculum, its courses are designed to prepare students to meet admissions
requirements. However, you should make sure that the courses you take will strengthen your record and
prepare you more fully for a particular major field and programme of interest. Ongoing conversations with
your university counsellor regarding academic and extracurricular records are helpful to this process.
FAQ: What’s the difference between a college and a university?
Colleges:
• In the US, colleges are usually smaller schools. In Canada, colleges are typically two-year technical
schools that prepare students for a particular career.
• Typically only offer programmes for undergraduate study (some offer a few programmes for graduate
study)
• Also refers to smaller divisions of one university ie: Harvard College is the undergraduate division of
Harvard University
• May also refer to residence halls (ie: Yale University has residential colleges)
Universities:
• Are made up of many different schools (School of Business, School of Divinity, etc.)
• May have undergraduate, graduate, and even post-graduate (doctoral) study opportunities
Note: Some of the terminology around colleges and universities can be confusing. For example, a research
university is NOT the only place that allows students opportunities to conduct research, and a technical
school is NOT the only place that will prepare students for careers in technology. In fact, many smaller
liberal arts colleges provide wonderful options for students to conduct research and gain experience
in particular career fields. For example, NYU Abu Dhabi is a liberal arts school that boasts impressive
research facilities and a faculty with strong technological expertise. Also, different university systems
require students to determine a course of study at different points in the process. In the US, for example,
it is not unusual for a student to enter college or university “undecided.” Such students generally spend
their first year fulfilling general requirements and taking courses in areas of interest before committing to
a particular major or programme of study. Students often pick a course of study based on what they think
they want as a future career; however, it is also important to keep an open mind. Through exploration
-- including coursework, internships and research -- you may discover a field that fits you that you had not
previously considered.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 10TYPES OF COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES/TYPES OF MAJORS/ TYPES OF DEGREES Before beginning your search, familiarise yourself with the different types of colleges and universities and the types of majors (courses of study) and degrees offered. Because you are applying right out of secondary school, (in most cases) you will be seeking an undergraduate degree. Types of Colleges/Universities Private: Private colleges and universities are funded through tuition, fees, private gifts, corporate contributions and endowments. Particularly in the U.S., private schools are typically more expensive than publicly funded institutions but may provide better financial aid. Examples: Wellesley College, Emory University, Bowdoin College, Yale University Public: Public colleges and universities are partially funded by tax dollars; typically they cost less than private schools. However, they may not provide as much financial aid. Examples: University College London, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) College/University Living Options Commuter: A commuter is a college or university student who generally lives locally and drives or takes public transportation to campus every day. Commuter students are usually local residents, although any student who lives off campus may be considered a commuter. Commuter students are not bound to the same rules that govern campus residents. While commuting may seem like a less expensive option for college, keep in mind that some colleges take into account on-campus living expenses in determining financial aid. Residential: A residential student is one who lives on a college campus, in a dormitory, college-run apartment building or other setting. By living on campus with other students, you will be part of a living/ learning environment. NOTE: Students who live on campus statistically have higher GPAs and complete more college credits each semester than their off campus counterparts; students who live on campus are more likely to graduate on time, and get involved in campus activities, both extracurricular and academic. Types of Majors/Courses of Study Liberal Arts - A liberal arts education refers to studies in a college or university intended to provide a broad base of knowledge and develop intellectual capacities. A liberal arts education prepares students to work in a variety of jobs. Liberal arts majors are often described as majors that “teach you how to think.” Examples of liberal arts majors include: language, philosophy, mathematics, history, literature, psychology. This is different from other types of education where students develop professional or vocational skills for a specific job. If you are undecided about what you want to study, it is best to pursue a liberal arts degree. Pre-Professional – Pre-Professional majors are majors that prepare students for one specific field. Because they are focused majors, there is typically less flexibility in picking courses. But for students who know what they want to study, a Pre-Professional major will provide them with the skills and training necessary to enter a particular career. Some Pre-Professional majors include: engineering, business, and nursing. UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 11
Types of College/University Degrees
Two-year undergraduate (Associate’s Degree): These degrees are typically granted for two years of full-
time college study.
Four-year undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree): Colleges and universities give these degrees for four
(and in some cases three) years of full-time study. Some students pursue their Bachelor’s degree after
completing their Associate’s Degree while some students directly pursue their Bachelor’s degree after
secondary school.
Graduate: A professional degree that a student obtains after completing a Bachelor’s degree. Graduate
degrees typically prepare students to enter a specific field with very specialised training. For example, a
student intending to become a doctor must complete medical school to earn an MD. Some other kinds of
graduate degrees include Master’s Degrees and PhDs (Doctoral Degrees).
Choosing a Course/ Major
Depending on where you apply, the course you would like to take may be considered with your admission
to the university. If you are planning to enroll in a pre-professional programme such as nursing,
medicine, business, engineering, you MUST know ahead of time since you have to start the appropriate
courses in your first year, regardless of which country you plan to go to.
Course Selection Internationally:
USA CANADA UK & AUSTRALIA
You usually have two years to You usually have 1 year to You must know when you
decide what major/ course decide what major/course apply which course you
you would like to choose. you would like to choose, but would like to choose and you
Exploration of courses in should have a general idea of have limited ability to change.
different disciplines allows you what you want to study when
to make a concrete choice. you apply.
A NOTE ON SELECTING YOUR HL SUBJECTS AND YOUR UNIVERSITY COURSE OF STUDY:
Many universities, particularly in Canada and the UK, require certain IB scores on specific HL and SL
subjects in order to be admitted into a course of study. Therefore, when determining which HL and SL
subjects to pursue, it is critical that you do so with your university and career plans in mind.
For example, at University College London, the minimum requirements for admission to the Mechanical
Engineering programme are: 38-39 IB points; a total of 18-19 points in three HL subjects including
Mathematics and Physics at grade 6, with no score below 5.
REMEMBER: The HL subjects that you select and the grades that you earn in them will have a direct
effect on whether you are admissible to a particular course of study. It is important to know early on in
the process what programmes of study you can pursue, given the HL and SL subjects you select and the
scores that you earn in them.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 12Choose a Course that:
• Aligns with your HL subjects
• You have all the pre-requisites for
• You are interested in studying for 4 years
• Will prepare you well for what you want to do in the future
• You might like, a course that aligns with your passions and interests.
How?
Most universities have fantastic websites. There is always an academics section where you can browse the
programmes they offer.
Search Tips:
• Each course or department has a website- from there you will be able to find the SPECIFIC classes
they are offering right now for your course; if the classes sound interesting to you, it may be a good
fit! Record it in on your BridgeU account so you don’t forget.
• You may also find helpful information about applying as a first year student. For example, courses may
offer a scholarship for an incoming student. Try to gather as much information as possible so you can
see if the course is right for you.
Online Career Resources/ Evaluations
Here are some other online career tools that can help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses which
can help you choose your major/course
BridgeU Strategy Advisor and Careers Tool
Use the Strategy Advisor function in the BridgeU online platform to articulate your interests, skills, and
experiences, as well as determine additional steps to take in achieving your goals. Use the Careers Tool to
explore career options, related careers and related courses of study.
Here are some other online options that you may find useful:
• www.myroad.com/
• www.careerkey.com/
• www.queendom.com/tests
• www.myersbriggs.org/
• www.focuscareer.com/
• www.assessment.com/
• www.colorwize.com/
• www.careerbuilder.com/
• www.careercornerstone.org/
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 13CHOOSING UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES TO APPLY TO
Choosing a college or university is an important step towards your future career. There are thousands
of universities all over the world, and it is up to YOU to find which is the best FIT for you. Other factors
may influence that decision, however the most important thing is to choose an institution where YOU are
going to be the happiest and to be able to thrive academically.
Reputations
Every college has its own reputation. Basing decisions on reputation alone may prevent students from
seeing the great opportunities lesser-known universities provide. Therefore, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
and look beyond the big names to other schools, that have fantastic programmes that you may not know
about. Have an open mind and investigate those schools that you may not be too familiar with.
Factors to Consider
• Location (Country and Region)
• Size of the Student Body (1,000 – up to 100,000!) Did you know?
• Campus Type (Urban, Suburban or Rural) There are more than 17,000
• Academic Programmes universities and colleges in the
• Campus Life world!
• Cost (Scholarships, Meal Plans, Transport)
• Diversity
• Retention and Graduation Rates
Reaches, Targets, and Safeties
It is important to be strategic in choosing which universities you apply to. When making your university
list include schools that fit into each of these three categories: Reach, Target, Safety. In order to figure out
what category a school falls into, you will have to do some research. Make sure to only apply to schools
that you would actually want to attend. Finding a safety school that interests you might take a bit of time!
Type Description
A “REACH” school is one that you dream of going to, but that
might be a little out of your reach. Their average student might
REACH have predicted IB scores or SAT/ACT scores above yours OR it
might just be an extremely selective school. Think Harvard, Yale,
University of Toronto, McGill, etc.
The majority of your schools should be in this section. A
“TARGET” school is one that you really want to attend AND
TARGET that fits academically. For example, your predicted IB scores and
standardised test scores are the same as their average student.
A safety school is one that you can fall back on. Your grades/scores
SAFETY should be well above the school’s average student and you should
be fairly certain that you will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 14FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Things to consider when you are choosing where to apply :
1 Kinds of Colleges and Universities
a. What kind of degree do I want? Associates? Bachelors?
2 Location
a. What country do I want to be in?
b. How far away do I want to be from home?
i. Where do I have a support system?
ii. What are my financial limitations?
3 Campus Setting
a. Do I want to be in a city? What climates can I handle?
b. Do I want to live on campus and have a campus community?
c. Do I care about sports? Activism? Religious community?
d. What size school do I want?
i. Small (15,000)
4 Cost
a. Do I know the actual* cost of the schools I’m looking at?
i. Don’t shy away from “expensive” schools just because of the cost. In fact, some private
non-profit schools in the U.S., while the most expensive, may also offer the most aid if
you qualify.
b. Will I qualify for financial aid? Do they offer financial aid to international students?
c. Am I eligible for scholarships? (From the college, state, government, etc.)
5 Major/Area of Study
a. What are my interests? Are they offered?
i. Even if you don’t know what you want to major in, pay attention to what the college
offers. If you’re mostly interested in humanities/social science, you probably shouldn’t
apply to a technical school!
6 Learning Environment
a. Do I prefer small classroom discussions or large lectures? Do I want to work closely with my
professors? Do I want to be at a research university?
b. Would I benefit from going to a liberal arts college?
(http://www.bustle.com/articles/76661-should-i-go-to-a-liberal-arts-college-here-are-10-signs-
this-might-be-the)
1
See https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/college-search-step-by-
step
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 15TAKE A QUICK INVENTORY OF WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
1 Where would you like to attend university?
a. United States
b. Canada
c. United Kingdom
d. Australia
e. India Finding the right college takes
f. Kenya hard work, time and dedication.
g. Middle East Knowing your personal
h. South Africa preferences will help you find the
i. Asia right match for you
j. Other
2 What general subject areas are you interested in?
a. Arts
b. Biological and Life Sciences
c. Business/Marketing/Economics
d. Education
e. Engineering
f. Health professions/ Medicine
g. Humanities (English, history, languages, etc.)
h. Law
i. Physical Sciences
j. Social Sciences (Psychology, anthropology, sociology, etc.)
k. Theology
l. Other _____________________
3 What types of activities would you like to get involved in at university?
a. Music groups
b. Dance groups
c. Athletics
d. Student Government
e. Volunteer Organisations
f. Model UN
g. Theatre
4 What average IB score for admitted applicants is best suited for you?
a. 28-32
b. 32-36
c. 36-40
d. 40-45
5 What kind of financial assistance will you need?
a. Need- based
b. Merit based (scholarships)
c. Athletic Scholarship
d. Work-study
6 List any other special resources you may need at a school that you are planning to choose (religious
considerations, etc.):
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 16THE UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS PROCESS: TIPS FOR
ORGANISATION
Applying to university is a lengthy process; it requires individualised attention and cannot be done
overnight. Therefore, plan ahead and get started on your applications as soon as possible. Additionally,
applying to university is a two way street: you MUST take initiative to do your own research and be
proactive in filling out your paperwork so you can meet all the necessary deadlines and, in return, you will
help your university counsellors make your application process easier. As always, you are welcome to make
an appointment with your university counsellor to discuss your options. Stay focused, be open-minded, and
work hard. It will pay off!
Once you have narrowed your list, it is time to look at the admissions requirements of the schools in which you
are interested. Before you get started, here are some helpful suggestions for organisation:
BridgeU:
• Log in to your BridgeU account frequently Overall Tips:
• Once you complete your Profile Builder, BridgeU will generate a 1 USE your BridgeU
list of University Matches that you can research. account
• If a university interests you, move it to your Shortlist. Then, in
your Shortlist you can add notes on each university option that 2 KNOW the deadlines
you research. for each school you are
applying to – Create a
• Track and update your BridgeU account regularly spreadsheet to help!
Password Page: 3 RESEARCH your
school’s requirements
• Universities have many separate databases to complete your
application and also to check your status after you’ve submitted 4 ASK if you have
your application questions
• Create a safe password page on your computer or in a notebook 5 PLAN ahead so you are
or on your mobile phone so you can keep them all straight; a not rushing at the last
sample is located in the back of this handbook minute!
6 COMMUNICATE
File Folders: with the University
• Have a different file folder for each university you are applying to Counselling office
• Keep the brochures/ prospectus guides of the universities you regularly in writing to
would like to apply to so that you can refer to them later ensure your applications
are sorted by the
• Keep a copy of all of your paperwork deadline
A NOTE ON LISTING YOUR NAME:
It is important to make sure that you use the exact same name for all of your official documents. Your
birth certificate, passport, school academic records (including Managebac account), SAT or ACT score
reports, and IB Diploma should have your name listed in the exact same way. When you apply to university,
schools receive multiple documents from multiple sources. The only way that they can make sure to put
all of your credentials together is if your name matches exactly. Therefore, it is critical in your DP1 year to
review your official documents and make sure that all of your names are listed in the same way.
Another critical reason why all documents need to match is that when you go to apply for your student
visa, you will need to present your credentials, including your admission letter from your university and
your passport. It is very likely that your visa will be denied if the names on your documents do not match.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 17APPLICATION FEES
Many students do not realise that application fees can be expensive and quickly add up. It is important
to budget early. Beyond application fees and fees for sending official score reports, you will also need to
budget for visa fees.
Application Fee Student Visa Fee
£18 for a single choice or £24 for multiple
UK £348
courses.
Between $50 and $80 per university. In addition
students need to send official SAT or ACT
scores. The cost for sending SAT score reports
US is approx.. $12 per report; for ACT it is approx.. $160 USD
$13 per report. In some cases students may also
need to send official TOEFL scores to universities.
These score reports cost $20 each.
Applying to up to three Ontario Universities
costs $156. After that it’s $50 per university
CANADA added. Non-Ontario University application fees, $110 USD ($150 CAD)
such as for McGill or the University of British
Columbia can range up to $130 each.
AUSTRALIA There is no set schedule of application fees $575 AUD
A NOTE ON PAYING APPLICATION FEES
Because most applications are online, students are often required to pay application fees by using a credit
card. If your family does not yet have a credit card and is able to get one, it is important that you do
so in advance of your application process. Unless a student is receiving very significant financial aid, the
Academies are not responsible for paying application fees.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 18THE UK APPLICATION PROCESS
Universities in the UK conduct admission through ONE online system called
(www.ucas.com).
There are 6 steps to the process:
1 2 3 4 5
CHOOSING
COURSE APPLYING OFFERS RESULTS NEXT STEP
6
STARTING UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE
IB Diploma UCAS IB Diploma UCAS
Points Tariff Points Tariff
Tariffs
45 720 34 479
Some UK universities use a point 44 698 33 457
system in evaluating applications. 43 676 32 435
A particular university may say it 42 654 31 413
requires X amount of UCAS tariff 41 632 30 392
points; it is referring to the points
system as designated to the right. 40 611 29 370
However, you may increase your 39 589 28 348
tariff points by taking extra activities 38 567 27 326
or exams: 37 545 26 304
36 523 25 282
35 501 24 260
Tips:
1 You must apply for a specific course when applying for an undergraduate degree and you must
meet the point requirements indicated
2 The UK only allows students to apply to 5 universities, but you can choose different courses at each
3 You only fill out ONE application for all the UK universities you apply to
4 Only ONE recommendation letter is required for the UK application
5 Personal Statements are geared towards the qualifications you have that make you suitable for the
course(s) you are applying for
6 The UK administers conditional offers- meaning they will accept you with certain expectations
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 19UCAS application
flowchart 1
Apply online*
Check course details to see which deadline
your application should arrive at UCAS by.
• 15 October for Oxford, Cambridge or
professional courses in medicine, dentistry
or veterinary medicine/science.
• 15 January for the majority of courses.
• 24 March for some art and design courses.
2
Wait to hear back
The universities or colleges will decide
whether to make you an offer.
• Either unconditional if you’ve already
met the entry requirements.
• Or conditional if the offer’s based Looking for more
on your exam results.
courses
If you have no offers or you’ve declined
them all you can still find other courses.
• Either by adding more choices one at
3
a time in our Extra service.
• Or if you didn’t meet the conditions
and Clearing has started, you can see
Reply to your offers which courses still have vacancies
Once all their decisions are in you have to
reply to your offers by a specific deadline.
• If your firm acceptance is an unconditional
then the place is yours.
4
• Or if it’s conditional it’s yours if you meet
the entry requirements – you can choose
an insurance acceptance as a backup.
• And decline the rest.
See if the university or
college confirms your place
• They might not if you don’t meet the
conditions of an offer.
• But if they do then you’re in – hooray!
• (If you’ve met and exceeded your offer
conditions you might be able to look for
alternative courses in our Adjustment
service while still holding your original
confirmed place.)
*If you miss these deadlines, we recommend you contact your choosen university or college to ask if
you're allowed to apply late as some will accept applications up to 30 June. All applications submitted
after 30 June are automatically entered into Clearing.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 20Exam Purpose
The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is used as part of the selection process by a number of UK medical and dental schools to help them choose from
UKCAT among the high level of applicants applying to their courses.
The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to certain medicine, veterinary medicine and related
courses. The BMAT is owned and administered by Cambridge Assessment, one of the world’s largest assessment agencies. It is responsible for producing
BMAT and marking the test, and also facilitates a worldwide centre network at which candidates can sit the BMAT.
The ELAT is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in English at the University of Oxford. The test is designed to enable applicants
ELAT to show their ability in the key skill of close reading, paying attention to such elements as the language, imagery, allusion, syntax, form and structure of the passages
set for comment.
The History Aptitude Test (HAT) is a two-hour subject-specific admissions test, which is taken by applicants to the University of Oxford’s undergraduate
HAT degree courses in History and its joint schools. Cambridge Assessment is working in partnership with the University of Oxford to administer the HAT.
The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a two-hour subject-specific admissions test, which is taken by applicants to all University of Oxford Physics and Engineering
PAT undergraduate degree courses. Cambridge Assessment is working in partnership with the University of Oxford to administer the PAT.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021
THE UK ADMISSIONS PROCESS
STEP is a well-established Mathematics university admissions test, which is used to help to select very academically able students for courses which are usually
oversubscribed.STEP was originally administered by OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations). However STEP has been transferred from OCR to its
STEP parent Cambridge Assessment which has a specialist team that manages assessments relating specifically to university entrance.
TSA The University of Cambridge uses the TSA, a 90 minute multiple choice test consisting of 50 questions. The standard TSA measures an applicant’s critical
thinking and problem solving skills. A separate version of the test - containing only critical thinking questions - is used for admissions to Politics, Psychology
Cambridge & Sociology (PPS) by some Colleges.
The TSA (University of Oxford) is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in PPE, E&M, EP, Geography, Psychology and
Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics, and Philosophy and Linguistics at the University of Oxford. Admissions decisions are complex because candidates come
TSA from a wide variety of subject backgrounds, and the study of these subjects requires a range of abilities. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) will help tutors
Oxford to assess whether candidates have the necessary skills and aptitudes.
TSA The TSA is a 90 minute multiple choice test consisting of 50 questions. These measure an applicant’s critical thinking and problem solving skills.
UCL
The LNAT is used by universities to assist their candidate selection process for their undergraduate law courses. The test helps universities to make fairer choices
among the many highly-qualified applicants who want to join their undergraduate law programmes. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as
LNAT UCAS application and academic qualifications. The test is not designed to test a candidates’ knowledge of law or any other subject but to demonstrate their aptitude
for the skills required to study law.
21THE US APPLICATION PROCESS
There are two ways students apply to US universities:
1 Common Application (www.commonapp.org)
2 Individual university’s application- available online through the university’s website
Information on Applying
A. The common application allows students to apply to multiple US universities with one
application.
It has several parts:
• The General Application which includes basic demographic information
• The School Specific Supplement which is an additional document provided by each
university with more specific questions about why you would like to attend that specific
school
• You must also submit a transcript up to two (2) teacher recommendation letters, and
a counsellor recommendation (these can be requested and are submitted through
BridgeU by your University Counsellor.)
B. US Universities evaluate applications through a holistic review process. The following things are
strongly considered when reviewing an applicant:
• Grades & Curriculum
Since we are on the IB system, universities will consider your IB points and overall performance
in SL and HL subjects from grade 9 onward.
** A NOTE ON GPA (Grade Point Average): Many US universities list the average GPA of admitted
students on a 4 point scale. For IB students, this number can be confusing. In order to determine a GPA, use
the table below. Be aware that some universities weight HL courses more than SL courses in determining a
student’s GPA. While the table below may help you determine your GPA, colleges and universities are aware
of the IB curriculum, including the 7 point grading scale and rigor of HL and SL courses.
IB points 7 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 1
Grade Equivalent A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
97- 94- 90- 87- 84- 80- 77- 74- 70- 60- 59-
Percentage
100 96 93 89 86 83 79 76 73 69 0
1.3-
4.0 Scale 4.3 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 0
0.7
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 22• Standardised Testing Scores SATs or ACTs
These scores are a requirement for admission to most US colleges/universities and having high
scores will make you a competitive applicant
• Personal Statement
This is where your personality will be revealed. Your essay should be thoughtful, unique, and
personal. Be creative and write something that reveals your personality
• Extracurricular Activities
US universities are looking for applicants who will make contributions to the campus
community beyond the classroom. The depth and/or breadth of your activities provide a better
picture of you as a whole.
• Recommendation Letters (2 from teachers, 1 from counsellor)
Your recommendation letters from your teachers further enhance your application. Carefully
select teachers who know you well inside and outside of the classroom to write your
recommendations. Get to know your university counsellor well to aid in this process.
APPLICATION OPTIONS FOR US UNIVERSITIES: EARLY
DECISION, EARLY ACTION, AND REGULAR DECISION
(ED/EA/RD)
** Note: Not all schools offer ED/EA and there may be a limit to how many you can apply to. Please
research this for each school you are interested in.
Early Decision:
ED applications are due much earlier than regular decision applications—typically in November. Applying
ED is a BINDING application, which means you MUST attend that university if you are admitted (there
are some exceptions made for financial aid reasons). ED applicants will receive their admissions quite
early, typically in December or January. You should only apply ED if you are 100% sure you want to attend
the school—you will have to WITHDRAW all of your other applications if you choose to attend. You
may want to wait for RD if you think your year 12 grades will improve your chances OR if you are really
counting on financial aid. Since applying ED is binding, you won’t be able to compare financial aid packages.
For some schools ED admission rates are higher, but this is not the case for every school. Do your
research.
Early Action:
EA applications are similar to ED, but are NON-BINDING. The same drawbacks apply with regards to
grades from year 12. The great thing about EA is that you are allowed to keep your RD applications active
and can wait until (in the US) May 1st to make your decision. Basically, applying EA just allows you to hear
back early from a school.
Regular Decision:
RD applications are just that – regular! You will go through the normal application process. Keep in mind
that there are hard admissions deadlines (i.e. “all RD applications are due January 15th”) and there are
rolling admissions deadlines (i.e. they accept applications in waves and/or continuously accept them up until
a certain date and will send out admission/rejection letters as they come).
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 23STANDARDISED TESTING FOR US UNIVERSITIES:
You must take the ACT or the SAT to apply to most US universities; the most selective US universities also
may require up to three SAT II Subject Tests. Don’t know which test to take? Take practice tests online! In
general, we recommend that you take the same test 2-3 times. Here are some key differences between
the SAT and ACT2 :
ACT SAT
No formulas given Provides math formulas
Includes science section Free test prep/practice exams
49 Seconds per question 1 Minute 10 Seconds per question
Calculator always allowed Calculator AND NO calculator math section
More geometry and wider range of material Focus on algebra, very little geometry
Opinion/ideas based essay (40 min) Textual analysis essay (50 min)
Reading for comprehension Reading for analysis
Focus on grammar, style, structure Focus on writing style and argument
You receive four free score reports every time you register for the SAT. We highly recommend that you
take advantage of these reports, as additional reports are subject to a fee.
Also, using registration score reports ensures that the test scores are sent to universities as early as
possible. Choosing your score recipients during the registration process ensures that universities have
the most complete set of your information to review for admission as well as scholarship awards, course
placement, or selection to a specific programme or major. In a recent survey, universities said that receiving
score reports is important to them because it shows which students are interested in their schools.
For a full list of university codes refer to (http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-code-search)
After Registration
You may also fill out the form online up to 9 days after you take the exam. If you wait after those 9 days,
you will be charged extra to send the reports. Please remember that an additional week may be needed
for the score recipients to process your scores once they receive them. There is a fee for sending score
reports after registration.
** The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to offer FREE SAT test prep. Register at this
website to start studying: https://www.khanacademy.org/
2
See https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/college-search-step-by-
step
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 24THE CANADIAN APPLICATION PROCESS
There are 2 ways to apply to Canadian Universities- these depend on which
province the university is located in.
1 OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre www.ouac.on.ca)
OUAC serves as a universal application system for students to apply to schools in Ontario.
Students only need to submit one application to apply for many Ontario universities. These
include:
• Ryerson University
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• Wilfred Laurier University
• University of Western Ontario
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)
• Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD)
• McMaster University
• York University
2 For universities outside of Ontario, students must go to the individual universities’ websites to
apply or Apply BC. These include, but are not limited to:
• University of British Columbia (both campuses)
• University of Alberta
• McGill University
• Mt. Allison
• University of Victoria
• Simon Fraser University
Application Components
- Ontario University applications only require basic information initially. They do not require
essays or recommendation letters at first.
- However, upon receiving this basic application, the university may require you to write addi-
tional essays, provide a portfolio, or submit recommendation letters.
- Canadian universities do NOT require the SAT, ACT, or any other standardised test scores
Application Timeline
- Students may start applying in November
- Applications are accepted (depending on the university) until May/June- but it is preferred for
students to submit their applications by January 15th
- Decisions are rolling, meaning they come out when your application has been reviewed
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 25CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Background In a number of joint initiatives between the Aga Khan Academies and Concordia University over the past seven (7) years, it has become apparent that both organizations have strongly aligned missions and values. This includes a commitment to pluralism, social justice, the enhancement of civil society, and a desire to increase access to high quality education. Therefore, a partnership between Concordia University and the Aga Khan Academies was formed to promote opportunities for Academies graduates to obtain an exceptional post-secondary education, an education that is consistent with the standards, values, and principles of the Aga Khan Academies. Both parties seek to develop a cooperative relationship between Concordia University and educational institutions supported by the Aga Khan Development Network. Concordia University is enriched by attracting high-potential international students who bring their talents, values, resources, and global experiences to its Montreal campus. Students at the Aga Khan Academies come from a wide range of backgrounds and are admitted based on their promise, good character and serious intent, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. Given the core capabilities and high-quality education Academies graduates possess, they are attractive prospects for Concordia University. UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 26
What is the programme?
This programme awards 4 scholarships annually for Aga Khan Academies graduates to attend Concordia
University to pursue an undergraduate degree. The scholarship covers full-time studies, to a maximum of
four (4) years or five (5) years for students in co-op or engineering programs.
The Scholarship Programme is divided into two streams:
Stream 1: “The Tuition Waiver Program”:
Each year, Concordia will award a scholarship in the form of a waiver corresponding to the tuition fees
payable for an undergraduate degree program to two (2) AKA highly-performing graduates.
Stream 2: “The Tuition Waiver and Bursary Program”:
Each year, Concordia will award a scholarship in the form of a waiver corresponding to the tuition fees
payable for an undergraduate degree program as well as a bursary support covering living allowance in
Montreal to two (2) AKA highly-performing graduates in financial need.
The scholarship programme will support a total of sixteen (16) AKA graduates admitted to Concordia
over the 2020-21 to 2023-24 academic years as follows:
• For four (4) AKA students admitted in the 2020-21 academic year;
• For four (4) AKA students admitted in the 2021-22 academic year;
• For four (4) AKA students admitted in the 2022-23 academic year;
• For four (4) AKA students admitted in the 2023-24 academic year.
The purpose of the Scholarship Programme is to award students with capability and financial need
this unique opportunity so as to enable their attendance and completion of an undergraduate degree
programme at Concordia. There is not a fixed number of tuition waivers awarded to students from a
particular Academy; the number of recipients from Mombasa and Hyderabad may fluctuate from year to
year depending upon the applicant pool.
Who can apply?
Eligible students are current DP2s and prior year graduates who are completing a gap year. Students
currently matriculated at a university are ineligible to apply.
To be eligible for STREAM 1 (Tuition Only), students must demonstrate strong academic performance
and some financial need. This scholarship is to be awarded to students who will be able to furnish their
own non-academic expenses.
To be eligible for STREAM 2 (Tuition + Living Expenses Bursary), students must demonstrate significant
financial need; they must currently receive at least 50% financial aid at the Academies. Each applicant’s
financial background will be validated to ensure eligibility, and students and their families will be expected
to confirm that their financial circumstances have not changed for the better since the last review of
Financial Aid eligibility at the Academy. In addition, the Concordia University reserves the right to audit the
financial need of scholarship recipients.
The STREAM 2 Programme is also open to children of faculty and staff who, based on family income,
would be eligible to receive greater than 50% financial aid at the Academies. The Programme is also
open to students who have received financial aid from an outside source (non-family), as long as they can
provide proof of financial need at greater than 50%.
Students interested in either STREAM 1 or STREAM 2 scholarship opportunities and who meet the above
criteria must apply to Concordia University and be admitted. Only students who have gone through the
application process and been admitted to Concordia University will be considered. The Academies’ aim is
to maximize access to universities for as many meritorious students needing financial support as possible.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HANDBOOK - CLASS OF 2021 27You can also read
